Dracaena plant named &#39;Dragontwis&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘Dragontwis’ is disclosed, characterized by green leaves with lighter green margins of twisted form. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an ornamental plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Dracaena fragrans

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Dragontwis’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring mutation of the variety Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Surprise’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,654.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Ruud A. M. Scheffers, a citizen of the Netherlands, in July of 2007 in a commercial greenhouse belonging to the inventor in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘Dragontwis’, assessing the stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Dragontwis’ was first performed at the commercial greenhouse of the inventor in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands by vegetative cuttings in July of 2007. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a locked greenhouse not open to the public. Through subsequent propagation by vegetative cuttings, multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Dragontwis’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Dragontwis’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Dragontwis’ as a new and distinct Dracaena cultivar:

1. Green leaves with lighter green margin.

2. Twisted leaves.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Dragontwis’ are similar to the parent, Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Surprise’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces leaves green in color with a lighter green margin, whereas ‘Lemon Surprise’ produces leaves that are a dark green with narrow white stripes and a broad light green margin. The leaves of ‘Dragontwis’ are twisted unlike the arching foliage of ‘Lemon Surprise’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘Dragontwis’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the variety Dracaena fragrans. ‘Lemon Surprise’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces leaves green in color with a lighter green margin, whereas ‘Lemon Surprise’ produces leaves that are a dark green with narrow white stripes and a broad light green margin. The leaves of ‘Dragontwis’ are twisted contrary to the leaves of ‘Lemon Surprise’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘Dragontwis’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. This plant is approximately 2 months old, shown planted in a 15 cm container. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Dragontwis’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. A steady temperature of approximately 20° C. at night and 20° C. during the day was maintained. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. The plant was shaded if the sun was shining on it. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena fragrans ‘Dragontwis’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate rooting.—About 4 weeks at approximately             20° C. 6 weeks for full rooting.         -   Root description.—Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not             fleshy, young roots Yellow-White 158D, older roots             Greyed-Orange 163D. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—2 months.         -   Pot size of plant described.—15 cm pot.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Height.—Approximately 25.9 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 32.8 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate, approximately 8 cm per month.         -   Branching characteristics.—Not free branching, growing with             one main stem from the base. Will only develop lateral             branches after pinching/pruning.         -   Diameter of stem.—Approximately 2.1 cm. Stem not visible but             fully covered by leaves, individual stem characteristics             outside of diameter are not measurable.         -   Internode length.—Average 0.4 cm.         -   Texture of stem.—Stem not visible but fully covered by             leaves.         -   Color of stem.—Stem not visible but fully covered by leaves.         -   Stem strength.—Very strong.         -   Number of leaves per stem.—Average 26. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate (spirally) Average Length:             Approximately 25.3 cm. Average Width: Approximately 5.7 cm.             Shape of blade: Lorate Aspect: Average angle at base: 40°,             tips curved downward in an average angle of −60°             (0°=vertical) Apex: Acuminate, not sharp Base: Broad cuneate             Attachment: Sheathing Margin: Entire Texture of top surface:             Smooth, very glossy Texture of bottom surface: Smooth,             moderately glossy Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS             Green 143C, tip darker, near N137A Young foliage under side:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C, tip darker, near N137B and             N137C, both colors present. Mature foliage upper side: A             color shade between RHS Green 139A and Yellow-Green 147A but             much darker. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS 137A             Venation: Type: Parallel Color: Upperside: As leaf blade             Underside: As leaf blade Sheath: Average Length:             Approximately 1.7 cm. Average Width: Approximately 1.1 cm.             Color: Near RHS Greyed-Green 193C, margins near 194A             Texture: Smooth, glossy. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Flower production.—Not observed.         -   Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to             normal diseases and pests of Dracaena has been observed.         -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance.—Moderately high             drought resistance, good heat resistance.         -   Fruit/seed production.—Not observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘Dragontwis’ as herein illustrated and described. 